How far is Independence, MO from Union, MO?

The driving distance from Independence, MO to Union, MO is about 215 miles (346 km), with a travel time of about 04h 13m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 188.8 miles (303.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 26m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
214.96 mi
04h 13m
Flight
188.79 mi
303.83 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Independence.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
188.79 mi
Kilometers
303.83 km
Flight Time
00h 22m

Driving Distance

Road route
214.96 mi
Kilometers
345.95 km
Drive Time
04h 13m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 04h 13m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Union
Thu, Apr 23, 9:06 AM CDT
Return by in Independence
Thu, Apr 23, 1:19 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Independence
2026-04-23T04:53
Arrive Union
Thu, Apr 23, 9:06 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 13m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:13 AM to 12:13 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:34 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Independence
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Rocheport
MO

City in Missouri, United States

From Independence
107.3 mi
02h 06m
To Union
107.7 mi
02h 06m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
17 to 21 mph S
Destination
82°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Independence and Union.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Independence and Union.

  1. 1

    Start on East Kansas Avenue

    44 m · 8 sec · East Kansas Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Lynn Street

    120 m · 23 sec · South Lynn Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East Walnut Street

    142 m · 25 sec · East Walnut Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto South Noland Road

    3.1 mi · 5 min · South Noland Road

  5. 5

    Turn left onto I 70 East: Columbia, Saint Louis

    1089 ft · 27 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

    2.6 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    52.5 mi · 57 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  9. 9

    Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

    32 mi · 34 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

    22.4 mi · 24 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

  11. 11

    Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  12. 12

    Continue on Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

  13. 13

    Continue on Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway

    1.9 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway

  14. 14

    Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    64.2 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 47: Warrenton, Hawk Point

    908 ft · 19 sec

  16. 16

    Turn right

    29.9 mi · 45 min

  17. 17

    Turn right onto East Independence Drive

    63 m · 7 sec · East Independence Drive

  18. 18

    Turn left onto North Church Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · North Church Street

  19. 19

    Turn right onto East Park Avenue

    900 ft · 31 sec · East Park Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn left

    19 m · 5 sec

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Independence and Union.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
21 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
118 mi · 55%
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi · 25%
South Noland Road
3.07 mi · 1%
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.64 mi · 1%
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.94 mi · 1%
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial High
1.58 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

64.2 mi · 01h 13m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
04h 13m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+26.2 mi
188.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Rocheport
02h 06m from Independence
Leave By
8:34 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Independence and Mostly Sunny near Union.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Independence to Union?

The road trip is about 215 miles (346 km) and usually takes 04h 13m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Rocheport is a useful midpoint, sitting about 107.3 miles from Independence and 107.7 miles from Union.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 188.8 miles (303.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.2 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:34 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.58 one way or $57.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 67.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Independence and Mostly Sunny near Union.

Stop Ideas Near Rocheport

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Rocheport, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Rocheport.

RAIL

Jefferson City

56 mi away
101 Jefferson Street
RAIL

Sedalia

65 mi away
100 block of Main Street, through parking lot
RAIL

Hermann

103 mi away
Wharf & Gutenberg Sts.
RAIL

Warrensburg

105 mi away
100 South Holden St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Union. Straight-line distance: 188.79 mi (303.83 km).

Independence

#1 Independence

A city in Jackson County, Missouri.

Population116,774
Coordinates39.0911200, -94.4155100
Altitude315
CountryUnited States
Union

#2 Union

City in and county seat of Franklin County, Missouri, United States

Population12,094
Coordinates38.4500500, -91.0084800
Altitude162
CountryUnited States
Start: Independence (-94.41551, 39.09112)
End: Union (-91.00848, 38.45005)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 346 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 09m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 22m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 17m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 34m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 04m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 40m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.58 gal
28.71 L · about $28.58
Round trip
$57.17
15.16 gal · 57.42 L
Estimated CO2
67.4 kg one way
Round trip: 134.7 kg / 297 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $28.58 $57.17
Mid-grade $4.25 $32.24 $64.48
Premium $4.65 $35.28 $70.55
Diesel $5.30 $40.20 $80.41

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Missouri · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Independence and Union. The current time is 04:53:21.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.